With performance that feels like both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Dauntless is a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch. In addition, the free-to-play friendliness of the title means that the community can only grow thanks to crossplay. The only real criticism of the game lies in the lack of endgame progression, but for a free game that is a blast to play with friends, this can be overlooked until the developer considers how best to explore this point.

What it mostly comes down to is whether or not you need this game on-the-go. The Talos Principle is great and absolutely worth it for puzzle fans, but the Switch port doesn't present it in the best light. If you can set aside performance issues, however, this is a wonderful game to play portably.

Frog Detective 2: The Case Of The Invisible Wizard may not be a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot, but it's definitely worth an hour of your time.

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger’s Switch port is far from ideal, and those still looking for an optimal experience will want to check out the version available on Steam. Yet, for those who aren’t all that concerned with pixel-perfect accuracy and simply want to take their slapstick six-shooter fun on the go, it’s more than worth the asking price of twenty dollars.

If Death Stranding were a movie, it undoubtedly would have been a hit, which is a good sign for Kojima Productions’ move into the cinematic space. Though the video game has enough spectacular moments to earn a passing grade, the amount of downtime keeps it from receiving a glowing recommendation.

New Super Lucky's Tale is a great platformer that hearkens back to why platformers are beloved in the first place. There is a genuineness to the level design and overall presentation. It's a great mix of mild 3D exploring and traditional side-scrolling action.

While Nuclear Throne might at first appear to be another difficult bullet-hell or punishing roguelike, a little practice quickly reveals a system that is meant to make the game accessible by a broad range of players. Thanks to the procedurally generated levels, weapon drops, and opponents, the game has virtually endless replay value and is an outstanding free game from Epic Games this week.

There's no reason to bother with this game. In fact, there's already been a great River City Ransom game released this year that completely blows this out of the water. River City Girls is a fantastic game that honors the series' legacy, has amazing music and characters, and features gameplay that's actually enjoyable. Play that instead, because Stay Cool, Kobayashi-san!: A River City Ransom Story is about as far away from cool as you can get.

The music, composed by Marble Machines creators Wintergatan, is definitely one of the highlights of the game. It enhances the already charming aesthetic of the game and managed to put a smile on my face the entire time.

Some innovation or an interesting take on combat, or something more meaningful in the progression of a character with Sparklite as a resource would have helped, but as it stands both are rather bland. It is a shame because, in terms of design, the art and level themes are lovely, but the gameplay looks and feels predictable. Sparklite is certainly a good game, but not great.

Disney Tsum Tsum Festival may not be the go-to party game option on a Friday night, but it’s a solid enough game for families with younger gamers. Disney fans will also enjoy the game simply because of the cute Tsum versions of their favorite Disney characters.

The Big Journey definitely feels like a game made for mobile devices. However, it works just fine on the Nintendo Switch. It may not be a must-own title, but for Switch owners who are looking to turn off their brain after a hectic day, they could do a lot worse than the reasonably-priced The Big Journey.

I can't help but feel like Stormland is limited by the technology rather than maximizing it. Insomniac, to their credit, is helping push the medium forward and I know they'll be at the forefront as VR continues to grow. Stormland is so much fun to play that I wish there was a more advanced platform to play it on. Having said that, you won't find a shooter with better mobility than Stormland. If you've been waiting for a AAA FPS in VR, it's here.

Overall, this latest game is unlikely to disappoint fans of the rhythm genre and this series in particular. It has a good selection of songs, the control system is spot on (presumably since the team has spent years refining it), and there are some nice returns with great new features.

Bee Simulator is a surprisingly fun game, but makes too many odd design choices throughout the short experience. Repetitive missions, over-simplistic gameplay, and an overall lack of depth hold the game back from becoming something great.

If you just want a wacky, dependable game with few issues, Yaga will quench your thirst for RPG action.

Despite its flaws, Fallen Order is a thrilling adventure with an appropriately ragtag group of misfits and familiar themes of honor, temptation, betrayal, and redemption. I just wish it came in a cleaner package with more thoughtful progression, and maybe a few less ponchos.

If you've been eagerly awaiting the chance to go to university, you won't be disappointed. This pack combines the very best of previous packs with some new and unique ideas that give a fully-formed and enjoyable gameplay experience - something The Sims 4 desperately needed.

I imagine there are some big fans of the Blacksad stories that will get more out of this game than I did. But for everyone else, it'll only remind you how sad it is that we'll never get a sequel to Telltale's The Wolf Among Us.

Tokyo Ghoul:re [Call To Exist] is the rare anime cash-in that is both ambitious and chocked full of content, and one that franchise diehards can eagerly sink their teeth into and be able to take a deep, stiff drink from.

As a longtime fan, it's a little frustrating. Luigi's Mansion and Fire Emblem are evolving, but Pokémon doesn't seem to want to. And as long as it stays fun and lovable, it doesn't have to.

As a longtime fan, it's a little frustrating. Luigi's Mansion and Fire Emblem are evolving, but Pokémon doesn't seem to want to. And as long as it stays fun and lovable, it doesn't have to.

As a longtime fan, it's a little frustrating. Luigi's Mansion and Fire Emblem are evolving, but Pokémon doesn't seem to want to. And as long as it stays fun and lovable, it doesn't have to.

If you loved the original Shenmue and Shenmue II, then you'll likely love Shenmue III for how closely it adheres to the original games. If you enjoyed the HD remasters of Shenmue & Shenmue II, then you will likely enjoy Shenmue III as a faithful sequel. There isn't much to recommend for everyone else, as Shenmue III is a ponderous experience that exists more to waste player's time than tell a compelling story.

Kingdom Under Fire 2 has some really cool ideas, but it would seem there's just too much baggage built up over the years.

Even with current bugs and shortcomings, it's been hard to stop playing. 14 hours later, I still want to take just one more turn.

Jumanji: The Video Game is best left in that dark and dusty cupboard that it will no doubt end up in.

The only silver lining of Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is that the game itself is such a disappointment in what it sets out to do that few people will play it in the first place.

It has some real navigation issues, but once you get past those, this is a title that anyone with a PSVR helmet should be checking out. After all, there's no better use for virtual reality than to peer through the eyes of a giant Golem and smash things to smithereens.

Age of Wonders: Planetfall Revelations is an expansion that, for the most part, knows why the original game was good and does more of that. While the Anomalous Site mechanic sacrifices playability for theme, the main story lets the player dive into the mysteries of the past while getting interesting new battle mechanics.

Anyone looking to play a quality platformer hearkening back to the older era should give this a download right away. It's certainly worth the price of $3.99.

I'm not bashing this game because it's about religion. It isn't bad because it's a religious satire. It's bad because every aspect of it misses the mark. The graphics are bland, the music is repetitive and dull, the satire isn't funny, and the point and click interface isn't easy to use. I've never before encountered a point and click adventure that made it so difficult to point and click.

The price point is just a bit too high at the moment, and it’s definitely not going to wow those hoping for a definitive VR sports title. Yet, most will find that it does what it says on the box and can be a fun time once the initial learning curve is conquered.

Audica delivers on a super satisfying shooter/music game combo that is unique even among the throngs of VR rhythm games. I definitely recommend it, provided you skip the campaign and go in knowing it's a bit feature incomplete.

The problem with creating a dungeon crawler game and calling it Munchkin is that there is too little connecting to the source material.

Espire 1's jank gets in the way of the gameplay far too often to be really enjoyable. There's better action shooters in VR certainly, but I guess we'll just have to keep waiting for a good stealth one.

The only major downside is the lack of online play. There could have been a lot of fun comparing how one uses their shovel or shield around the world. Because of that, Shovel Knight Showdown will probably only be enjoyed by core fans of the original game.

While Farming Simulator 20 is likely to be appealing to long-term fans of the franchise, I suspect it won't be winning over many newcomers.

Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection gives you plenty of bang for your swashbuckling buck.

Jamestown+ sets out to be a well-made port on the Nintendo Switch, and it succeeds in every way. The game was great when it released eight years ago, and the same holds true today. It’s not often a game retains that kind of staying power, and this is one title that even casual players of action shmups should add to their collections.

The Shovel Knight legend has come to a close, and Shovel Knight: King Of Cards makes for an entertaining final chapter.

this DLC is a must-buy for any fans of the original trilogy. It's packed full of flashback features that add a new dimension to every aspect of the game, alongside the new campaign. Just don't install it until you have plenty of time to recreate that classic park while humming the Jurassic Park theme song. Trust me, you'll need it.

Nintendo hasn't made a true Paper Mario game since 2004's Thousand Year Door, and if you've always wished for another game like those first two in the series then you should probably check this out. It doesn't revolutionize the RPG formula, but Bug Fables shows that you don't need an Italian plumber to have fun playing with paper.

Compared to other puzzle games, Superliminal doesn’t necessarily feel like it stands out. However, its use of perspective is incredibly well-executed, and provides a nice mental exercise for those willing to give it a try.

Elsinore is a game with a specific audience in mind. Lovers of Shakespeare and point-and-clicks will enjoy unraveling mysteries and creating alternate endings to Hamlet. While the game probably won’t entice anyone outside of that core audience, it still solidifies Golden Glitch as a studio to watch. This game proves that they’re a creative team with a talent for weaving story and gameplay together into a compelling whole.

Utilizing virtual reality to help get gamers up off the couch is a great use of the technology, and BoxVR is about as good as it gets when it comes to fitness games. It's a fast, challenging, and entertaining way to try to lose some extra pounds with your VR helmet.

Pizza Time Explosion is an enjoyable arcade-style shooter that will please those who love a challenge and beating high scores. The game isn't exactly bursting with content, but there is plenty here when you consider that it's an indie budget game that is centered around one pizza's journey to give everyone more pizza.

It's got some issues and bugs - both technical and actual bugs - but any game that lets you play as a wombat is at least worth a quick look. Lost Ember is an engrossing experience, and you'll be running, digging, swimming and flying to your next destination just to see how the story will turn out.

EarthNight is a little gem. Auto-runners and endless runners do not have the greatest reputation, but this title paints an exciting future for them. It's not perfect, in part due to the (at times) tedious arcade system and technically short length for the price. Still, the outstanding painted visuals, wonderful chiptune soundtrack, and altogether great use of automatic running makes EarthNight worth checking out.

Pine feels like an early proof of concept that misses the mark in all the key components that should otherwise keep players engaged.

Gylt is a great gateway game for new players to experience the stealth, horror, and puzzle genres. Otherwise, it doesn’t really add much for veteran players to experience. It certainly doesn’t add anything special to the Stadia’s launch titles, especially since the game is probably coming to other platforms at some point. Gylt may not be a go-to title or a must-buy for Stadia players, but it’s good enough if you have five to six hours to kill.

Perhaps the most attractive thing about Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts is its price. For thirty dollars, the game offers a ten-to-twelve-hour campaign that plays like a slightly less cinematic version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s legendary Chernobyl missions.

Tools Up! isn’t necessarily groundbreaking as a party co-op title. However, even with its issues, there’s a lot of fun couch co-op to be had (and fun extras to enjoy in the late-game).

The price point for entry feels quite reasonable. There is a one-time promotion for new players that provides ten packs for $4.95. From there, bundles of packs, a pre-order for an expansion, and an “Equipment” tab which offers cosmetics like card backs also become available. Compared to all the other online card games out there, this feels perfectly average in asking price, but growing a collection as a free-to-play player feels somewhat slow by comparison.

So bring a box of tissues and brace yourself for emotional impact, because Arise: A Simple Story is perhaps the most tearjerking game you'll play this year.

As a PC game, without VR, this feels like a below-average game. I don't think it's fair to rank it as such, as I truly feel that a VR experience with the heart monitor hookup could hugely improve the overall gameplay. Admittedly, I'd love to know how exactly much.

If you've played the first Life Is Strange, or its prequel, then you'll already be aware that developers Don't Nod are fans of making onion chopping ninjas appear while you're gaming. You'll happily be making (what you thought were) smart choices, when suddenly, that smart choice doesn't look so hot anymore. I knew going in that this was going to be a rough journey. What I didn't know was how incredibly sensitively handled and well-told this traumatizing tale would be. Life Is Strange 2 tackles a number of issues, with racism being the most prominent, and Episode Five continues in the same vein as the earlier ones. It skillfully weaves choices that really matter into a heartbreaking, but incredibly moving finale for two brothers who have finally come to the end of the road. Continue scrolling to keep reading Click the button below to start this article in quick view. Start now The Story So Far While this review won't include spoilers for Episode Five, it's assumed that you've played the first four chapters. If you haven't, why are you reading this review instead of catching up? After the traumatic aftermath of their father's death, Sean and Daniel went on the run. Right from the start, the choices you made mattered, and Episode Five really shows this. You can even choose if you saved Arcadia Bay in the first game, which is reflected in the later narrative of Episode 5, especially in this final part. RELATED: Arise: A Simple Story Review: Here Come The Waterworks After numerous nasty incidents, mostly involving racists taking against the boys for being Mexican, and a close call with the police, we left the boys in the aftermath of a dramatic escape. After Daniel was brainwashed by a cult while Sean was in the hospital, Sean and the boys' mother, Karen, mounted a rescue. As Episode Four concluded, the brothers finally looked at peace as they drove off with Karen. The Wolf Brothers The episode begins with some bonding between the brothers. Enjoy this peace, as things are about to get very rough. Predictably, the calm doesn't last and the brothers are on the road once more, still hoping to reach the Mexican border and finally, Puerto Lobos. In some ways, this episode is less traumatic than others. Episode Four was a rollercoaster from start to finish, but this finale slows the pace, at least in the beginning. It's a welcome relief and gives players a chance to catch their breath a little as they meet some interesting characters, including someone who will be very familiar to fans of the first game. RELATED: Choose Your Own Adventure: 10 Games Where Your Decisions Really Matter We also find out more about the brothers' history, their mother, and some other interesting details that fill in their background. There are also some intriguing interactions that will vary, depending on if Arcadia Bay is still around. While we enjoyed the lighter story, it only made us love the boys even more, which, in turn, makes the ending even more difficult to cope with. When things predictably begin to fall apart, the boys flee and, as we saw in the trailer, finally reach that border. What happens next depends on you. Every Choice Counts In the first game, the player was offered a choice which led to two different endings, both equally traumatic. This follow-up is not quite so clear cut. While players only have a choice of two alternatives for the final decision, the outcomes for each depend on previous choices. There are actually four distinctly different endings, each with a mix of happiness and tragedy. There is also a slight variant to one ending and three slightly different alternatives to another. As you can imagine, with this many endings, every single choice counts, even down to the little things that slowly impacted your relationships. Tackling Important Issues All throughout the episodes, the issue of racism has been tackled, while homophobia was touched upon. This final episode continues in that vein, with both issues once again explored. These are sensitive topics that have been handled incredibly well. The narrative in this last episode is just as engaging, sensitive, and well-written as those which came before it. There's no jarring difference and no huge letdown. RELATED: Pine Switch Review: Beauty That Is Only Skin Deep This time around, while the drama is not on a "destroying an entire town" scale, it's actually more traumatizing, as so much of it is rooted in the consequences of racism. I've never felt my white privilege more than I did playing this. So many of these incidents sadly do happen, and that realism is what makes this harder to stomach. Watching Sean explain racism to Daniel still breaks my heart, almost as much as the loss of Mushroom did. A Satisfying Finale As expected, the graphics, narrative, and soundtrack are absolutely stunning throughout. This series is known for its attention to detail, and this is never more apparent than in some of the tiny details you'll notice in Wolves. The pace can feel slightly slow at times, and there are a couple of moments that made me want to scream at the boys to hurry up, but it's all part of the story. Ultimately, they are very minor annoyances due to my impatience, and the pace is generally well thought out, building up the finale well. While not all the endings are happy, with one, in particular, being especially traumatizing, they all feel realistic and in line with the choices you need to make to get to each one. Each has elements of joy and sadness, and this feels right for the script. After all, they left a large amount of chaos behind them which can't fail to have an effect on them, or anyone playing this beautiful game.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries of New York does an excellent job of introducing new gamers to the World of Darkness. Players who have waited fifteen years for a new Vampire: The Masquerade game will feel right at home.

Ultimately, HAUNTED: Halloween ‘86 (The Curse Of Possum Hollow) doesn’t necessarily bring anything revolutionary to the genre, but it really doesn’t need to. The game feels like a game I played years ago, and that’s what makes it so much fun.

If the game were to do away with its heart rate resource, which severely limits the style of play, and added more procedurally generated content, the game would be a hit. As it stands, Breathing Fear misses the mark and is a forgettable experience.

If you’re yearning for a test of skill – or at least something that can’t be beaten by taping down the attack button and pushing forward – Riverbond is unlikely to fulfill your need for hacking and slashing.

It's not especially original, and at this point seeing any piece of media where someone quits their job, magically overcomes all their debt, and runs off to write poetry in the woods is something worthy of eye rolls and tongue clicks. It doesn't help that the game controls like a hapless man in his late twenties who can barely muster the energy to move his spinely legs.

Halo: Reach is probably better played on a console considering the issues encountered on PC, but they aren't enough to wreck the release. The campaign is excellent, showing why Halo is one of the most acclaimed first-person shooters. There might be some drops in the frame rate, but the gameplay is still excellent. The story is engaging, showing what it means to be a soldier in a time of peril, with the final level being incredibly memorable.

Though Genesis doesn’t exactly introduce anything totally new to the franchise, it’s an entertaining experience that stays true to the feel and tone of the series despite making a few budgetary concessions.

Phoenix Point stands out in the tactical-RPG genre, even from obvious comparisons to XCOM, because it so fearlessly explodes the management systems on the battlefield. Even among tactics fans, it's clear this isn't a game for everyone, but if you're looking for something to really sink your teeth into, Phoenix Point is it.

Heroland excels in the visuals department, but unfortunately falls flat in its story delivery and gameplay engagement. It's the video game equivalent of visiting a theme park just to get cute Instagram pictures, but deciding not to go on any of the boring rides. Which, in today's day and age, might be someone's cup of tea. Unfortunately, it's not mine.

Players who are unfamiliar with the sub-genre of Cosmic Horror may be dissuaded from trying the game out, while hardcore fans might expect too much. The term "Lovecraftian" at its core demands that a player be weak and insignificant in the big picture of the world, and Door in the Woods executes this perfectly.

Paranoia: Happiness Is Mandatory demands you be happy and obedient, but you're more likely to be bored and upset that you didn't play something else.